The Chicago Treaty of 1833

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DOCUMENTS

THE CHICAGO TREATY OF 1833
With Introduction and Notes by Milo M. Quaife

The Chicago Treaty of 1833, with the negotiating of
which the following documents deal, was an event of con-
siderable importance, particularly in the history of Illinois
and Wisconsin. From the first advent of the white man in
this region the Potawatomi tribe of Indians had made its
home in some portion of the territory adjacent to Lake Michi-
gan. By the Chicago Treaty of 1833 the Potawatomi
and allied tribes, the Chippewa and Ottawa, at length agreed
definitely to leave this region and find a new home beyond
the Mississippi. To the whites was surrendered their title to
some 5,000,000 acres of fertile land in northern Illinois and
southern Wisconsin, embracing the tract between Lake Michi-
gan and Rock River and extending northward from an east
and west line drawn through the southernmost point of
Lake Michigan.

The circumstances attending the negotiation of the treaty
were typical, probably, of those of Indian treaties generally
in the first half of the nineteenth century. Yet two or three
facts give to this treaty a somewhat special degree of interest.
One is that we have left to us fuller and better descriptions
of the negotiation of the treaty than is commonly the case.
Another and more important one is that a larger sum of
money was distributed in the form of gratuities more or less
disguised, to facilitate the conduct of the negotiations. It
is with this phase of the subject that the documents here
presented deal. So far as known, no student of American
history has ever seriously set himself the task of illuminat-
ing the subject of the process whereby the American govern-
ment secured from the red man, in successive treaties, title

288 Documents

to the greater portion of the land of continental United
States. 1 A comprehensive study of this subject would reveal
much of interest and value; it would be certain, too, to dis-
close much of a nature far from flattering to the American
government and nation. That the Chicago Treaty of 1833
would afford some material of this sort for the construction
of the narrative, it requires no hardihood to affirm. Charges
of improper influences and conduct in connection with the
framing of the treaty began to be made as soon as it was
negotiated. Some of them, doubtless, were irresponsible and
unfounded, but there is reason for supposing that this was
far from being true with respect to all of them. The letter
of Governor Porter is preserved in the Burton Library at
Detroit, and acknowledgment is due to Mr. Burton for the
copy we present. The charges against Porter are copied
from a contemporary broadside preserved among the Martin
manuscripts in the Wisconsin Historical Library. The two
documents go hand in hand, for it is evident that the charges
which Porter sought in his letter to Jackson to refute are
identical with those stated in the broadside, although the latter
seems not to contain all the material which had been submitted
to Jackson and which was referred by him to Porter to answer.
Readers who may be interested in pursuing the subject
further may find a discussion of the Chicago Treaty of 1833
in the present editor's Chicago and the Old Northwestl673-
1835, 353-66.

CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST GEORGE B. PORTER

Detroit, December 12, 1833.

To Son. the Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs
in the U. S. Senate

The following are the charges and specifications preferred
against George B. Porter, Governor of Michigan Terri-
tory, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs:

x The State Historical Society of Wisconsin has under preparation a volume
devoted to those Indian treaties which are of more direct interest to Wisconsin.

The Chicago Treaty of 1833

289

Commissioners Chicago Indian
Treaty, 1833.

♦Robert A. Forsyth, . $3000'
*Marcia Kercheval.
*Alice Hunt, ....
*Jane Forsyth, . .
fJno. H. Kinzie,.
fEUen Wooleott,.
f Maria Hunter, . .
f Robert A. Kinzie
f do. do. do
♦Robert A. Forsyth, .

3000
3000
3000
5000
5000
5000
5000
1216
1300

GOV. PORTER,

COL. OWEN,

MR. WEATHERFORD,

♦Robert A. Forsyth,. .$3000) out of the $100,000 appro-
f James Kinzie, 5000) priated in lieu of the reserva-
tions — Forsyth, of the U. S. Army, receiving his as Indian
Chief.

To be allowed out of $175,000
appropriated for c 1 a i m s
against the Indians. The
names marked *, are the Chil-
dren of Old Mr. Forsyth ; those
markedf , are the Children of
Old Mr. Kinzie. The annexed
claims are allowed to the heirs
of Forsyth and Kinzie, for the
destruction of property by the
Indians during the late War.
$42,516J Mr. Forsyth died in 1814, and
his claims against the Indians were never heard of till now.
Old Mr. Kinzie, whose claims are placed on the same
ground, died a subject of the King of Great Britain — he
fought against this country in the late war — his own family
only escaping at the massacre of Chicago. The heirs of For-
syth and Kinzie, are cousins, consequently the above claims are
all in one family. Major Robert A. Forsyth, a Paymaster in
the U. S. Army, and the individual above named, was one of
the committee on claims who allowed the above sum of $42,516
to himself, his sisters and cousins — one individual only being
associated with him. The Major, and all of his sisters, were
born in the province of Upper Canada, and he to this day
has never been naturalized. He is, however, the especial
protege of the Secretary of War, and Governor Porter. A
large amount of just claims were rejected by the Committee,
to make room for the claims allowed above.
*Robert A. Forsyth,. $ 300

innn ^ a ^ *° ^ ne ^ ™- trust for
„ on - certain Indians, and allowed by
„ nn the Committee on Claims.

400

*

do.

do.

do

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do.

do

*

do.

do.

do

*

do.

do.

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*

do.

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do

290 Documents

Roberson and Caldwell, the principal Chiefs of the Pota-
watamie Nation, half whites, and persons whom Robert A.
Forsyth can control as he pleases, received $10,000 each, as
a bribe to induce them to influence the other Chiefs of the
Nation. It is allowed out of the $100,000 appropriated in
lieu of reservations. Caldwell was the principal Chief at
the massacre of the River Raisin. A Frenchman called
Loranger, an Indian trader, was allowed by the committee on
claims $5000, by assigning his claim to Robert A. Forsyth,
to whom he was indebted $3000. The goods furnished by
John H. Kinzie, Aid-de-Camp to Governor Porter, (and
the individual named in the list of claims,) and Mr. Kerche-
val, (the husband of Maria Kercheval, named in the list of
claims,) under former treaties, amounted to $100,000. The
practice of Gov. Cass has always been to give the furnishing
of goods to be distributed among the Indians, under a regula-
tion of a former treaty, to the Indian Agent at the Agency
where the goods were to be distributed, as a perquisite of his
office. Had the precedent been followed in the present case,
the Indian Agents at Green Bay, Chicago and Logansport,
would have had the distribution of the goods. But Gov.
Porter assigned, over and over again, as a reason for taking
this perquisite from the Agents, that he was desirous of sav-
ing the per centage usually allowed them, and that in lieu
of this per centage, he had engaged Kinzie and Kercheval
only as agents to purchase the goods in New- York, and was
to give them a per diem allowance for this trouble. Yet, in
express contradiction of this declaration, Governor Porter,
as can be positively proved, has allowed to Kinzie and Kerche-
val, 50 per cent, on the whole amount of goods furnished,
making to them a profit of $50,000.

Claims $42,516 This amount of public money

Trust Fund 3,200 is put into the pockets of one

Profit on Goods . . . 50,000 family in the short space of six

weeks. Is it not reasonable to

$95,716 suppose, that Governor Por-
ter finds a strong reason for confining the patronage of the
Government to one family, in the fact that he comes in for a
share of the "plunder?"

The Chicago Treaty of 1833 291

In addition to this, Kinzie and Kercheval have received
from Governor Porter, the contract to furnish the Indians
with horses, from which they will undoubtedly realize $10,000.

Kinzie also obtained the exclusive furnishing of the goods
at the forks of the Wabash, amounting to $40,000, and Ker-
cheval at Nottawassippie, to the amount of $20,000.

It is a fact notorious among all who attended the Chicago
Treaty, that the goods furnished at that treaty, were after-
wards taken from the Indians in large amounts, and furnished
at other places. Kinzie himself, used the goods which he
furnished the Indians as a gag to those who complained of his
conduct, by making them presents of cloth, &c.

Lucius Lyon, our Delegate in Congress, is in possession
of all the foregoing facts, and will vouch for their correct-
ness; and for their further confirmation, I refer you to Geo.
W. Ewing, Logansport, Ind.; Alexis Coquillard, South
Bend, Ind. ; Thos. J. V. Owen, Indian Agent, Chicago; Peter
Godfroy, Teunis S. (Wendell, Wm. Brewster, Edward
Brooks, and S. T. Mason, of Detroit; and Robert Stewart,
Mackinac; and Col. Ewing, Secretary of the Commissioners.
Most respectfully submitted for your consideration.

Your Obedient Servt.

LETTER FROM GEORGE B. PORTER TO PRESIDENT
ANDREW JACKSON

Detroit, December 15th, 1833.
Gen'l Andrew Jackson,

President of the United States,
Sir.

After a fatiguing tour of more than three months, in
performance of the several public duties assigned to me, I
arrived here last evening, and have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt, this morning, of your letter of the 2nd inst, with
its inclosure.

Personal respect for you, Sir, restrains the expression of
feelings, outraged and indignant at having been made the
object of calumnies, so wantonly malicious and grossly un-
true, as those contained in the paper laid before you, a copy
of which you have transmitted.

292 Documents

I appreciate, with a proper sense of the obligation, the
considerate justice which has offered me the means of con-
fronting my accusers, whenever they shall declare themselves;
and I thank you for the renewed mark of confidence in my
integrity, thus indicated.

The statements contained in this tissue of fabrications,
shall be met fully and fairly, by my own distinct declarations,
which, if deemed insufficient, shall be sustained by ample
testimony, incapable of refutation. And if in vindicating
my honor from unmerited aspersion, the detail should prove
tedious, I ask, not doubting it will be granted, your for-
bearance for a temper, smarting under a sense of undeserved
injury.

I may be permitted to premise, that like other public men,
I too, have my enemies. But for this peculiar and vindictive
rancour that assails me, I cannot otherwise account, than by
attributing it to that fruitful source of evil passions — dis-
appointed expectations. If, in the endeavor faithfully to
discharge my duties, it has not been in my power to accom-
plish all the wishes of all, it is but the common lesson which
experience has taught, to others as well as to myself. The
invidious feeling which these causes produce, seeks to gratify
itself, by wresting from me the credit of having effected an
important Treaty, and would willingly sacrifice to its object
the best interests of the country.

To proceed then to the matters alleged against me.

The first proposition contains both an indirect and a direct
falsehood. First, in stating, for the purpose of disparage-
ment, that but three million acres of land are purchased,
when in point of fact, there are nearly six millions; And
Secondly, that the title not being in the Indians, "there 'was
no necessity for a Treaty at all." The declaration itself is
utterly without foundation; but waiving this, I remark, that
the province of determining this "necessity" rested not with
the Commissioners but with the President. In the present
instance, it is well known that a cession of country along the
Western shore of Lake Michigan was deemed of so much
importance, that an appropriation for holding the Treaty
was made at the last Session of Congress — Who could be
ignorant of this fact? And yet, those who profess to under-

The Chicago Treaty of 1833 293

stand this matter better than the President and Congress,
and the Secretary of War, whose knowledge of these Indians
and this region of country is minutely particular, assert that
the land did not belong to the Indians ceding it, and that
"a little investigation will satisfy any reasonable man that
there was no necessity for a Treaty at all"

It is stated also that to indulge my favoritism its objects
always found it an easy matter to "persuade his Excellency
to get up a Treaty." The mendacity of the writer is equalled
only by his ignorance. The power which assumes the order-
ing of Treaties does not lie with me. But without this, the
charge is unfortunate in its application, for I appeal to my
letters on file in the Department to show whether this appoint-
ment was eagerly coveted, or reluctantly accepted, by me.
And the instructions of the Department under which the
Commissioners acted, (an extract from which for your con-
venience I enclose), will show, that the Secretary was not
only aware of the importance of the duty but directed us
"not to abandon it till all hopes of success were exhausted."
That we succeeded in effecting all that was required of us
and, in the opinion of every good and intelligent citizen with
whom I have conversed, made a valuable Treaty, advan-
tageous alike to the Government and the Indians, of impor-
tance to the surrounding country, and this in the most public
and honorable manner, I had never heard doubted, until my
return to this place. Since then, I have heard of boasts that
I should be destroyed. And accordingly, during my absence,
falsehood and aspersion were busy with my character and
conduct. To destroy the confidence you repose in me, no
means have been scruppled at. — First, it is boldly proclaimed
that I cannot effect a Treaty — then it is denied that any credit
is due to me, for having accomplished it: — and now, I am
held exclusively answerable for the whole Treaty, and every
circumstance attending it.

To my Co-Commissioners, and the gentleman selected
by them as the Secretary of the Commission, who are all
highly respectable Citizens of Illinois: — to the full Journal
of all our proceedings: — to the many distinguished citizens
of Illinois, Indiana and the surrounding country: — to every
honourable man who was present during the Council, among

294 Documents

whom are Mr. Daniel Jackson of New York — and Mr.
Robert Stewart, the Agent of the American Fur Company
at Michilimackinac, both of whom I understand to be now
in Washington, and whose characters are known to you, I
appeal with confidence, for a refutation of these slanders. 2

The suggestion that extra allowances have been made to
me for extra services is not disputed, being an usage of the
Government from its first institution. The labors I have
performed and the fatigues I have undergone, in this tour,
over roads almost impassable, and during a continuation of
the most unfavorable weather, teach me to believe that I have
honestly earned all that the Rule of Department will allow :
But the vile and mean insinuation appended, and which none
but an utterly corrupt heart could generate, that I have sold
my patronage, does not require an answer.

In reference to the claims or accounts contained in the
Schedules annexed to the Treaty, to some of which particular
exception has been taken, I proceed, in explanation, to state :
That in furtherance of the policy of the Government to
remove these Indians West of the Mississippi, the Commis-
sioners refused to grant Reservations of land, although these
were greatly preferred, but agreed, in lieu thereof, that a
part of the consideration money should be apportioned among
such individuals as the Indians chose to designate. In like
manner another part of the consideration money, the amount
of which was fixed, was to be applied in satisfaction of claims,
which, on examination, should be admitted by the Indians
to be justly divided. Who, so well as they, could tell whether
they were indebted to an individual or not? But to protect
themselves against unfounded claims, many of which were
presented, the Chiefs and head men employed a gentleman
of high standing and respectability, as their assistant, and
asked permission that he might be present at the investiga-
tion of the claims. This gentleman was Richard E. Hamil-

2 Daniel Jackson belonged to the firm of Suydam, Jackson and Company of
New York, large importers of goods for the fur trade. Robert Stuart was manager
at Mackinac for the American Fur Company. Porter's appeal to these men is
not entirely convincing, since they were important representatives of the fur
trade merchants who, as a class, profited most largely by the gratuities and al-
lowances concerning which complaint was being made.

The Chicago Treaty of 1833 295

ton, Esq., 3 of Chicago — in whom these Indians reposed un-
bounded confidence — They farther requested that Major
Forsyth, for whom they professed a like regard, and who
was familiarly known to them, should aid their friend Col.
Hamilton in the duty confided to him. Impressed, as all
were, with the character of the two gentlemen for integrity
and honor, so reasonable a request was not denied. — In the
presence of the Chiefs and those Assistants, the commis-
sioners proceeded in the examination of the numerous claims,
the decision on each claim being made by the commissioners ;
by all of them; and by them alone; and the amount allowed on
each claim was then and there written down by the Secretary.
So far as relates to the allowances, (so principal an object of
animadversion), granted to the heirs of Forsyth & Kinzie,
I aver, without fear of contradiction, that neither Major
Forsyth nor any of the persons interested, had anything to
do with the decision upon them; nor, to the best of my knowl-
edge and recollection, were any of them present, when they
were acted on — The Chiefs and Head men insisted upon
these allowances, and the Commissioners, on hearing the
representation of the Indians unanimously acquiesced in their
justice. These with the several other claims allowed form,
as I have stated, a part of the consideration money of the
Treaty, and if it were possible, which it certainly is not, to
preserve the Treaty, striking these out, the Individuals named
would, I have not a doubt, suffer neither detriment nor loss —
The whole Potawatamie Nation would, I am persuaded,
restore the allowances at the Annuity table.

The name of Robert A. Forsyth, which occurs three times
in the first statement of allowances, belongs to two different
individuals, one of whom is a Merchant in Ohio, 4 and the
other, the Paymaster. The extensive trade in which the
Merchant of this name in Ohio is engaged will appear on
reference to several Treaties lately made in Ohio and Indiana.

3 Richard J. Hamilton came to Chicago in 1831 as first clerk of the circuit
court of Cook County. During the next few years he held a large number of local
offices of a legal or fiscal nature, much of the time holding several at the same
time. He had much to do with the establishment and early administration of
the public school system of Chicago.

4 Robert A. Forsythe of Ohio was an early trader at Maumee City in Lucas
County. He was probably the son of James Forsythe, an early merchant and
tavern keeper of Detroit. He was one of the founders of the lower Maumee
Valley.

296 Documents

Nor is this confusion of names mentioned in defence or ex-
tenuation — I am ignorant of any just ground of exception
to my conduct, in the whole history of this transaction, but I
note it, merely, as one of a series of deceptive statements.
The jeering comment follows that "Major Forsyth of the
United States Army, received his $3000 as an Indian Chief."
These falsehoods are almost too gross for refutation. The
Treaty states the allowance. Does it say he received it as an
Indian Chief? The Indians stated, themselves, and without
any prompting on the part of the Commissioners, that there
was due to Robert A. Forsyth a reservation, which had long
since been promised by their nation, and which they had
desired Governor Cass and Judge Sibley, Commissioners at
the Treaty of Chicago in 1821, to grant him. This request
has been reiterated at the Treaty of St. Joseph, in 1828, as
can be attested by Gov. Cass and Mr. Menard, the Com-
missioners ; — the land being then, and ever since, set apart for
him by the Indians. It was not secured to him in either of
these Treaties, because not included within the bounds of the
lands then ceded. The Commissioners, in this, as in every
other instance when it could be done compatibly with the
policy of the Government, and with justice to Individuals
and the Indians, conceived it their duty to obey their wishes. 5
The selection of persons to examine and adjust claims, as
well for reservations as on account of losses, was made, not
by the Commissioners, but by the Indians themselves. The
claims were all subjected to the supervision of the Indians,
or persons they themselves appointed to represent them; —
It is notorious that they expressed at all times the most un-
hesitating confidence in their Indian Agent, Col. Owen, who
was one of the Commissioners: — in Col. Hamilton, whom
they specially deputed to act for them, and in the two persons

5 The pronouncement of Meriwether Lewis to President Jefferson on this
point, given in a case which involved the same principle as the one here involved,
is not without interest in this connection: "I am confident that, if the United
States should never confirm the lands to the present claimants, it will not prove
a source of disquiet on the part of the Osages; and should they be ever coun-
tenanced or receive confirmation, on the ground of their being Indian donations,
it would introduce a policy of the most ruinous tendency to the interests of the
United States; in effect it would be, the Government corrupting its own agents; for,
I will venture to assert, that, if the Indians are permitted to bestow lands on such
individuals as they may think proper, the meanest interpreter in our employment
will soon acquire a princely fortune at the expense of the United States." Ameri-
can State Papers, Indian Afairs, I, 767.

The Chicago Treaty of 1833 297

scoffed at as "half whites" Caldwell and Robinson. 6 With
these was associated also Joseph, an influential Chief, who
was present in every business transaction — Caldwell and
Robinson have been nurtured with, and raised by, these
Indians, one from childhood, and the other from his birth;
they are identified with this tribe, and are Indians in character,
in manners, in mode of life, in sentiments and conduct, and
as such are regarded by them. By reference to the Treaty of
1829, it will be seen that they were then acknowledged as
the principal men, and the Treaty was made with them.
Whom could they trust if not these? After the assent to sell
had been obtained, and the general preliminaries had been
agreed upon, the Indians in open council, as will appear by
the Journal, advised the Commissioners that they had con-
fided the care of their interests, and all the details of the
Treaty, to these, their principal chiefs; and the Commis-
sioners, as I considered then and now, properly acquiesced.
When these details were completed, and the Treaty reduced
to form, it was read by Col. Hamilton in private Council to
the Indians, and was again read before them in public Council,
by myself, and unanimously approved. It is represented that
old Mr. Forsyth never had $500 in property in his life. This
can be disproved by a hundred witnesses, conversant with
the fact, that he was extensively engaged in the Indian trade.
So, too, the assertion that "old Mr. Kinzie died a subject of
the King of Great Britain", can be falsified by the records
of the War Department, showing him to have been for many
years after the war a Sub Agent of the Government. Equally
and unqualifiedly false also is the declaration that "he fought
against his country in the late war," or "led the Indians in
the Massacre of Chicago." On the contrary he was a zealous
and efficient partizan of the American party, and as the
books of the American Fur Company will show, was their
agent at his death.

Nor is the declaration that Major Robert A. Forsyth, a
Paymaster in the United States Army, has never been
"naturalized," by which it is intended to be conveyed that he
is an alien, less destitute of truth. The Father of Major

6 Billy Caldwell and Alexander Robinson, halfbreeds, who were influential with
the Potawatomi and the Ottawa.

298 Documents

Forsyth was an American Citizen, (born in Detroit), and
has always resided in this country, and the accidental cir-
cumstance that Major F's mother was, at his birth, among
her friends across the narrow line which divided the Terri-
tory from Canada, did not, nor could, divest him of his na-
tional character. The law of nations recognize no such
principle: Accordingly, the vote of Major Forsyth has never
been challenged at an election; he bore a Commission, as a
Cadet of the Military Academy, and subsequently as an
officer in the Army of the United States. He has been
elected to the Legislature of the Territory, and executed the
trust; where the objection stated, if valid, would have been
fatal. Finally, he has received from the President of United
States, a Commission as Pay Master in the United States
Army. Equally deceptive with every other feature of this
malignant attempt to destroy me, is the perverse meaning
significantly assigned to the trusts, confided to Major Forsyth
and Mr. Kinzie. They are real, substantial trusts, created
under circumstances of perfect notoreity at Chicago, and
challenge scrutiny. In these, as in every other case, the ap-
pointment was made without consulting the individual, and
in some instances against his inclination.

Major Forsyth is charged also with having bribed Cald-
well and Robinson with $10,000 each, to influence the Chiefs
of their Nation. This varies in nothing from the complexion
of the other statements. It is a pure fiction. Major Forsyth
had nothing to do with the matter. The Individuals cited,
received, by the express direction of their people, the sum
of $10,000 each, as the two head men of the nation, to whom
the entire direction of their affairs had long before been com-
mitted, — on whom they not infrequently lived, and to whom
they looked for relief in their necessities. A reference to the
Journal will establish the fact of their appointment, because
it is so declared in the speeches of the Indians, delivered in
public Council. If the Indians, in open Council, declare what
shall be done with a part of the consideration money of their
land and, according to their custom, insist that their principal
Chiefs shall be provided for out of it, why should it be objected
to? As well might it be objected that $5000, a part of this
consideration money, is appropriated at the request of the

The Chicago Treaty of 1833 299

Chiefs to the students of the Choctaw Academy, of which
sum the Honorable Richard M. Johnson is constituted
Trustee. 7

It is said also among other representations that a French-
man called Loranger, 8 who never had goods in the Indian
country, was allowed by the Commissioners on Claims $5000
by assigning his claim to Robt. A. Forsyth to whom he was
indebted $3,000.

It is with difficulty Sir, that I can sufficiently command
my feelings, or control the disgust with which I am affected,
at these monstrous falsehoods, for while I would speak of
them in the manner they merit, I would not forget the
respect due to you. But in the above proposition of three
lines, are stated three direct, unqualified untruths: — First —
That he had had no goods in the Indian Country which
could be refuted by a common clamor. Second — That he
assigned his claim to Major Forsyth; and Third — That he
was indebted to him for $3000. — I have already named Mr.
Daniel Jackson, of the firm of Suydam, Jackson & Co., of
N. Y. who are so extensively engaged in the sale of Indian
Goods — Of him I would ask how long he has known Mr.
Loranger to be in the Indian trade, and what has been the
amount of goods sold yearly to Mr. Loranger — The claim
of Mr. Loranger was much greater than the allowance — The
balance is lost to him, because not presented at the Treaty
in Indiana in October 1832, being due by that Band or Party
of Potawatamie Indians — He has been in the Indian trade
since 1804, and lives within sight of this town.

I had intended to close this communication here; but I
cannot remain silent, while slanders are heaped upon the
gallant dead. The characters and memories of John Kinzie
and Robert A. Forsyth deceased have been wickedly as-
sailed — and by whom? Their descendants would like to
know — For the part each one of these individuals took, and
the important services rendered by them to the American
Government in the late war, reference is made to many of the

'Unfortunately for Porter's justification in this particular instance, the in-
vestigations of students have revealed much that is of questionable propriety
in connection with Johnson's conduct of his Indian school.

8 Joseph Loranger was a fur trader in the River Raisin and before the War
of 1812 had a store in partnership with Lafontaine. In 1817 he platted the town
of Monroe, Michigan, of which place his descendants were prominent citizens.

300 Documents

first men in the country; Among those immediately around
you is the Secretary of War, Major General Macomb,
General Gratiot and Colonel Croghan. — Having considered
it my duty to make inquiry I have obtained the following
information and believing it to be strictly correct, I give it to
you as such. —

Memoir of the late John Kinzie of Michigan. 9
John Kinzie died at Chicago in 1828, aged 64 years; he
came to this part of the Country when a boy and was in the
Indian trade during the greater part of his life. He went
to Chicago, Illinois, in 1803 — was Sutler for the United
States troops for several years, and was the first to take from
Detroit the news of the declaration of War, to Captain Heald
then commanding the Fort at that place. 10 On the eve of
the massacre at Chicago, Mr. Kinzie with two friendly Indian
Chiefs, called at Captain Heald's quarters, and advised him
not to abandon the Fort as was contemplated the next morn-
ing, but to remain as long as possible; for if he left it he
would certainly be attacked by the Indians, who had collected
to the number of five hundred warriors. — Captain Heald
persisted in going — said he had orders from Genl. Hull to
evacuate the post, and to proceed with his command to Fort
Wayne. Captain Heald then requested Mr. Kinzie to ac-
company him, which he did, leaving his family with but three
men to protect them on their way to St. Joseph (distant by
water 100 miles) . Mr. Kinzie's family were taken prisoners
a few hours previous to the massacre. Mr. Kinzie was in the
battle, as well as one daughter, the wife of Lieutenant Helm,
whose horse was shot from under her. She received a wound
in the foot from the ball which killed her horse. Mr. Kinzie
was taken prisoner with the surviving command of Captain
Heald. Having been long a principal trader among these
Indians, and much esteemed by them, he was next day by a
Council held by the Chiefs, liberated, and his family restored
to him.

"The correctness of this narrative is not above question in all respects. In
general it may be noted" that Porter was bent on presenting a favorable account
of Kinzie's career, and that he evidently drew his information from friendly
sources. Nevertheless, it constitutes an interesting addition to our sources of
information concerning Kinzie, the reputed "father of Chicago."

w Kinzie removed to Chicago in 1804, the year following the establishment of
Fort Dearborn. The statement that he brought the news of war to Fort Dearborn
is incorrect.

The Chicago Treaty of 1833 301

He then prevailed upon the Indians to surrender to him
Captain Heald and family, whom he furnished with con-
veyance to Mackinac. 11 Mrs. Heald now residing at St.
Louis can prove all these facts. — Having lost all his property
to a very considerable amount (it being a wholesale establish-
ment) consisting of merchandise, furs and peltries and horses,
etc., taken by the Indians, he went to Detroit. His influence
while there was directed toward affecting a change in the
views and feelings of the Indians at that time unfriendly to
the American Government. This influence with the dif-
ferent tribes of Indians was very considerable and as a proof
of it General Proctor commanding the British force in
Detroit and its vicinity sent for Mr. Kinzie, and when he
went to see him General Proctor immediately confined him
as he said "for daring to prejudice the Indians against his
Majesty's subjects or forces, and would send him where he
would not see an Indian in a hurry." — Mr. Kinzie was twice
rescued by several Indian Chiefs, and once in the presence
of General Proctor himself. Mr. Kinzie was again taken by
General Proctor and closely confined in irons at Fort Maiden
(as also a Mr. Jean Bte Chandonnois who subsequently made
his escape and is now living in the St. Joseph country) and
kept there for months. He was finally, to conceal him from
the Indians, sent off in the night in irons — was treated in the
most brutal manner by his guard, and was shipped for Eng-
land for trial — Fortunately for him, the Ship lost her rudder,
and she was obliged to put into Halifax, having on board a
great number of American prisoners. — He thence made his
escape in a crowd of paroled prisoners, and returned to his
family in Detroit, after it had been taken possession of by
General Harrison's Army. Mr. Kinzie had not been long at
home before he was called upon by Colonel Croghan, and ac-
companed the expedition under him to Mackinac, and was
Captain of a party of Militia at the battle fought on the
Island of Dousman's Farm. Mr. Kinzie, after the close of
the War, held the appointment of Sub Indian Agent for
many years at Chicago. — He was well known to Generals
Harrison, Macomb, Gratiot, and Col. Croghan. — During the

"This statement is in contradiction with our other sources of information
on the subject.

302 Documents

time of hostilities, his energies were always devoted to the
American cause.

Robert A. Forsyth was long and extensively engaged in
the Indian trade. — His residence was at Detroit and his trad-
ing establishments in different places in the Indian Country.
He not only enjoyed the confidence of the Indians but that of
his fellow citizens. Every honest man then resident of
Detroit can attest to his bravery during the late War. Such
had been his conduct that, on the surrender of Detroit, he
was marked as a fit subject for British vengeance. — He was
torn from his family and with his only son, the present Major
Forsyth, then a boy of about fourteen years, put on board the
British vessels and carried off; his several infant daughters
being left without a protector ; their father's house occupied
by the British troops; and all his valuable property pillaged
and carried away. Being landed on parol at Erie, Penn.,
the father and son soon afterwards found their way to General
Harrison's Army. This gentleman can attest to the many
valuable services which they rendered. The father died in the
year 1813, in the service of his country, without having been
permitted to return to his family: — Being early enured to the
hardships of trading among the Indians and being naturally
active and brave the son frequently performed duties, from
undertaking which others were deterred by their severity and
danger. For the history of the son, the hardships he en-
countered, his important services before, and his gallant con-
duct during the war, I refer you to the Honourable Lewis
Cass, who is familiar with its details.

I have now, Sir, I believe, with one exception, gone over
the whole ground. That exception relates to the furnishing
of goods by Mr. Kercheval and Mr. Kinzie, and as it has
no connection with the Treaty of Chicago, being in fulfil-
ment of the stipulations of previous treaties, and in the
making of which I had no agency, and concerns myself ex-
clusively, I shall make it the subject of a communication to
accompany this.

The question so insidiously put, of whether "the Gover-
nor does not secretly reap a share of the plunder" I cannot,
consistently with the respect due myself, answer. — Whether
I have forgotten principle and character, and everything

The Chicago Treaty of 188S 303

dear to an honourable mind, to defile my hands with the
contamination of a bribe, is a question others must settle
for me. —

In conclusion, I have only to add that, to the issue I have
here made up, I commit without shadow of fear of the result,
what is dearer to me than all else — my reputation and good
name.

[G. B. POETEE.]